Drake named a top 200 school, and #1 in Iowa for “Best Value School” Drake University was once again ranked among the top 200 best colleges in the nation — this time in the U.S. News and World Report national university rankings, competing against the largest universities in the country. The news comes just weeks after receiving similar accolades from The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 College Pulse Ranking. U.S. News also ranked Drake as the #1 private school in Iowa within its national university rankings. According to the U.S. News national university ranking methodology*, Drake also secured high marks in several...
Drake Welcomes the Most Diverse Entering Student Class in University History
Highest percentage of diversity, first-generation, and Pell-eligible students on record As students across the country settle into a new school year, Drake University is welcoming new undergraduate students to campus — and it is the most diverse group of students in the University’s 143-year history. The University is proud to report the diversity of the new undergraduate student population is 37.4%. This includes entering first-year (EFR) and transfer students seeking bachelor’s degrees at Drake as well as first-year and transfer students seeking associate degrees from Drake’s John Dee Bright College. Specifically, the diversity of EFR students joining Drake is 35.3%,...
The Wall Street Journal ranks Drake University as #1 Private School in Iowa
Return on investment of a Drake education among top 3 percent in the nation Drake University was ranked the top private school in Iowa for the second year in a row and among the top 200 best colleges in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 College Pulse Rankings. Among all Iowa schools, Drake ranked highest in Salary Impact Score (a rating of graduate salaries relative to the cost of attending), as well as the Value Added to Graduate Salary score (value added to graduates’ median salary attributable to attending the college). These rankings from The Wall Street Journal...
New Drake Grads Reflect on Experiences, Mentors, and Future Ambitions
Fourteen new Drake University graduates share their personal experiences about their time on campus. Their diverse stories include examples of the connections they made and the amazing experiences they had during their academic careers. Students from each college and school at Drake are highlighted. View the collection of spotlights.
Class of 2025: Meet Kayla Hruska, Drake Law
Kayla Hruska College: Law School Major: Law Hometown: Cresco, Iowa Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: I chose to attend Drake Law School because of the strong community between students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Also, I was confident Drake Law would provide me the skills I needed to become a successful attorney. Q: What is your favorite campus memory? A: My favorite memory was the Barrister’s Ball, also known as Law prom. During my time in undergrad, my favorite memories were cheering on the Bulldogs in the Knapp Center. Q: How has Drake shaped who you are...
Class of 2025: Meet Anna Braun, Pharmacy
Anna Braun College: College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Major: Pharmacy Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: I chose to attend Drake because of the supportive culture that I noticed right when I stepped on campus. I could immediately tell how much the professors cared about their students and how much they wanted to help us grow. This made me want to be a part of that community, where everyone is uplifting you to reach your goals! Q: What is your favorite campus memory? A: My favorite campus memory is just living in the...
Class of 2025: Meet Donovan McCarney, John Dee Bright College, Integrated Arts, Sciences, and Humanities
Donovan McCarney College: John Dee Bright College Major: Integrated Arts, Sciences, and Humanities Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: Drake has always been a very prestigious college that I never thought I would be able to attend and after being out of school for 13 years. I really had no desire to go back or to get a degree. After being presented with the opportunity to be a part of a new nontraditional two-year program called Bright, I knew Drake was the place for me. Q: What is your favorite campus memory? A:...
Class of 2025: Meet Nadia Valentine, Drake Law
Nadia Valentine College: Law School Major: Law Hometown: La Salle, Illinois Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: I graduated from Drake in 2017 with a major in broadcast news and a minor in sociology. By the time I started my senior year, I had a career in morning radio. I was on the Morning Moose Show on LAZER 103.3 FM from 2016–2021. I lost my job during the pandemic. Shortly after, I began working at a criminal defense law firm in downtown Des Moines. I was the administrative assistant. When I was in school, I thought about...
Class of 2025: Meet Mel Dygert, Public Relations and Marketing
Mel Dygert College: School of Journalism and Mass Communication Major: Public Relations Minor: Marketing Hometown: Johnston, Iowa Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: I looked everywhere for school. Both my parents went to Drake and my older brother is also a Bulldog. My dad worked here for a time, and my mom still works here. I tried really hard to find another school that offered the same education and opportunities as Drake … but I just couldn’t find it. I love Des Moines, and I love the community, so I decided to stay close. Q: What is...
Class of 2025: Meet Trevor Stevens, Actuarial Science
Trevor Stevens College: Zimpleman College of Business Major: Actuarial Science Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: I came to Drake because it was about the right size, distance from home, and had programs that I was interested in. There were also opportunities to be involved in band as a non-major participant and the campus traditions like painted street were something I wanted to learn more about and be a part of. Q: What is your favorite campus memory? A: My favorite experience at Drake was going on a J-Term trip to New Zealand....
Class of 2025: Meet Riley Jouppi, Digital Media Production and Advertising
Riley Jouppi College: School of Journalism and Mass Communication Double Major: Digital Media Production and Advertising Hometown: Crystal, Minnesota Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: I originally chose Drake because I had aspirations of being a broadcast journalist and was thoroughly impressed by the journalism program. I realized that was not the route for me, and I’ve since changed my major three times, but the education I was given was still above and beyond my expectations. Additionally, I really enjoyed the smaller class sizes. Even in my general lecture courses outside of the School of Journalism and...
Class of 2025: Meet Leif Klarqvist, Environmental Science and Spanish
Leif Klarqvist College: Arts and Sciences Double Major: Environmental Science and Spanish Hometown: Roseville, Minnesota Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: I originally came for the music program, but I quickly learned how much I enjoyed my environmental science classes. Since Drake is a smaller school and all of my classes have been taught by professors instead of teaching assistants, I was able to create close relationships with all of my professors. These relationships connected me to fantastic research opportunities and expanded my professional network. Q: What is your favorite campus memory? A: My favorite campus memory...
Class of 2025: Meet Bridgid Miller, Elementary Education and Spanish
Bridgid Miller College: School of Education Double Major: Elementary Education and Spanish Hometown: Hopkins, Minnesota Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake? A: I really liked the size of the school and the campus. I loved how the campus is really small and interconnected with each other. Q: What is your favorite campus memory? A: I loved paint fights every year and being a part of the Drake Relays. I have the best memories from painting our square with my club and cheering on the runners in the Drake Road Races. Q: How has Drake shaped who you are...